ROODHOUSE COUNCIL INFIGHTING STALLS MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS

ROODHOUSE — Ongoing tension inside Roodhouse City Hall continues to delay the appointment of a replacement alderman, as disagreements between Mayor Jim Riley and members of the city council have twice blocked the mayor’s selections.

During a recent council meeting, residents waiting outside a two-hour executive session reported hearing raised voices from behind closed doors. When the council reconvened, debate over the vacant seat quickly resurfaced.

Mayor Riley initially appointed Sharon Decker, a retired nurse, to fill the vacancy.

However, a majority of aldermen voted down the appointment, saying they wanted more communication from the mayor before a name was placed on the agenda.

Council members emphasized that while the mayor has the authority to make the appointment, they believe collaboration is necessary before a vote is taken. Several aldermen said their concern was not with the candidate personally, but with the process.

At a subsequent meeting, Riley attempted to appoint Sam Decker, Sharon Decker’s husband, to the seat. That appointment was tabled, delaying action until a future meeting. A special meeting was later held to continue discussions, but no final decision was reached. The matter is now expected to return to the agenda at the March 25 council meeting.

Under state law, the council has 30 days to vote on a mayoral appointment once it is presented. If two appointments are rejected, the mayor may ultimately choose between the two previously denied candidates. However, the second appointment was tabled rather than voted down, leaving the process unresolved.

Some council members have indicated they want additional time to review candidates and ask questions before casting a vote. Others say the issue has been amplified by lingering adjustments following last year’s council turnover, when multiple members resigned around the time Riley was elected.

For now, the vacant alderman seat remains unfilled as city leaders continue to debate how appointments should be handled moving forward.